Abstract: Imaging methods, imaging member charging methods, and image engines are described. According to one embodiment, an imaging method includes providing an imaging member having an outer surface comprising a plurality of portions having a plurality of different radii, rotating the portions of the outer surface of the imaging member adjacent to a charge device configured to provide an electrical charge to the imaging member which is usable for imaging, first controlling a position of the charge device with respect to one of the portions of the outer surface of the imaging member using the one of the portions of the outer surface at one moment in time, second controlling a position of the charge device with respect to an other of the portions of the outer surface of the imaging member using a positioning control system at an other moment in time, and using the charge device, providing the electrical charge to the one of the portions of the imaging member at the one moment in time.

Abstract: A coil system for a plasmoid thruster includes a bias coil, a drive coil and field coils. The bias and drive coils are interleaved with one another as they are helically wound about a conical region. A first field coil defines a first passage at one end of the conical region, and is connected in series with the bias coil. A second field coil defines a second passage at an opposing end of the conical region, and is connected in series with the bias coil.

Abstract: A charge source is used to create a latent image on an imaging surface. A volume between the charge source and the imaging surface may be pressurized while the latent image is being created.

Abstract: A method of charging an imaging member having an outer surface with an imaging region and a seam region. A charge device is provided adjacent the imaging member. An electrical charge is provided to the imaging region of the imaging member using a voltage on the charge device. An other electrical charge is provided to the seam region of the imaging member using an other voltage on the charge device.

Abstract: A development unit for a printing device is described. An equalizing element is provided to minimize residual charges which cause ghosting. The equalizing element can, for example, be a roller or a blade positioned downstream of a cleaning nip between the cleaning roller and the development roller and charged to an electric potential which is substantially the same as an electric potential of the development roller. The equalizing element can alternatively, or in addition to being charged to perform equalization, operate to aid in charge residual charge dissipation on the development roller by blocking developer from reaching the development roller downstream of the cleaning roller.

Abstract: An apparatus for charging an image transfer surface in an image transfer device includes a support member and a conductive polymer material surrounding an outer periphery of the support member. An inner portion of the conductive polymer material is loaded with a supplemental conducting agent, and an outer portion of the conductive polymer material is substantially free of the supplemental conducting agent.

Abstract: Image development methods, hard imaging devices, and image members are described. According to one embodiment, an image development method includes providing an image member comprising a surface having different portions of different electrical conductivities, wherein one of the portions defines an imaging pattern of an image, providing a development agent comprising a plurality of electrically charged image particles and a plurality of electrically charged charge directors over the image member, providing an electrical field proximate the image member having the development agent over the image member, and using the electrically charged charge directors and the electric field, directing the electrically charged image particles to the one of the portions of the surface of the image member to develop the image.

Abstract: Hard imaging devices and hard imaging methods are described. According to one embodiment, a hard imaging device includes a photoconductor, a developer member configured to move to provide a marking agent upon the photoconductor to develop a latent image upon the photoconductor, and a squeegee member configured to form a nip with the developer member and to move to provide the marking agent upon the developer member, wherein the squeegee member is configured to move at a speed slower than a speed of the developer member during the provision of the marking agent upon the developer member using a squeegee member.

Abstract: A method and computer system according to the disclosed invention allows the pre-installation of a software application without a license key. The computer system installs a software application and provides a prompt for a license key. The license key is stored in a registry. If the license key is not entered, the computer system installs the software application and installs disabling code. At startup, the disabling code is executed if installed, providing a prompt for a license key. If the proper license key is entered, the computer system stores the key in a registry and uninstalls the disabling code, allowing installation of the software application. If an improper key is entered, the computer system allows the key to be reentered.

Abstract: A charge source is used to create a latent image on an imaging surface. A volume between the charge source and the imaging surface may be pressurized while the latent image is being created.

Abstract: Hard imaging methods and hard imaging devices are described. According to one embodiment, a hard imaging method includes forming a plurality of latent images, using a development assembly, developing the latent images using a liquid marking agent, transporting the liquid marking agent relative to the development assembly during the developing, and performing a bubble reduction operation to reduce a presence of bubbles in the liquid marking agent during the developing and transporting compared with not performing the bubble reduction operation. Additional embodiments are described in the disclosure.

Abstract: Imaging methods, imaging devices, transfer assemblies, and transfer member lubrication assemblies are described according to some aspects. According to one aspect, an imaging method includes forming a latent image using a first imaging member, using a marking agent, developing the latent image providing a developed image, after the developing, first transferring the marking agent of the developed image to an imaging transfer member, after the first transferring, second transferring the marking agent of the developed image from the imaging transfer member, and lubricating the imaging transfer member during the first and the second transferrings.

Abstract: Image development methods, hard imaging devices, and image members are described. According to one embodiment, an image development method includes providing an image member comprising a surface having different portions of different electrical conductivities, wherein one of the portions defines an imaging pattern of an image, providing a development agent comprising a plurality of electrically charged image particles and a plurality of electrically charged charge directors over the image member, providing an electrical field proximate the image member having the development agent over the image member, and using the electrically charged charge directors and the electric field, directing the electrically charged image particles to the one of the portions of the surface of the image member to develop the image.

Abstract: Imaging methods, image engines, and photoconductor charging systems are described. According to one embodiment, an imaging method includes providing a charge device configured to provide an electrical charge to a surface of an imaging member which is usable for imaging, moving a surface of the charge device adjacent to the imaging member and a bias member, during the moving, first charging a discharged portion of the surface of the charge device using the bias member providing a charged portion of the surface of the charge device, during the moving, second charging a portion of the surface of the imaging member using the charged portion of the charge device, the second charging providing the discharged portion of the surface of the charge device, and repeating the first charging and the second charging during the moving.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for reducing contamination of an image transfer surface in an image transfer device includes a charging device for charging the image transfer surface. An airflow control system ventilates the charging device and restricts airflow adjacent the image transfer surface.

Abstract: Aspects of the invention relate to hard imaging apparatus charging devices, imaging assemblies, imaging assemblies charging methods, and hard imaging device image bearing member charging methods. In one aspect, a hard imaging apparatus charging device is disclosed. The charging device includes first and second end members, and an intermediate member connecting the first and second end members. The intermediate member may have a length corresponding to an imaging area of the image bearing member of the hard imaging apparatus. The intermediate member may be configured to charge the imaging area used to form latent images on the image bearing member during hard imaging operations of the hard imaging apparatus. The first and second end members of the charging device may be configured to maintain a predetermined spaced charging clearance between the intermediate member and the imaging area of the image bearing member.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for reducing contamination of an image transfer surface in an image transfer device includes a shield member configured to restrict airflow against the image transfer surface.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for cleaning an image transfer surface in an image transfer device. The cleaning apparatus includes a first cleaning station and a second cleaning station positioned to consecutively clean the image transfer surface. The first and second cleaning stations apply cleaning fluid to the image transfer surface and remove cleaning fluid with residual material from the image transfer surface. A first tank supplies cleaning fluid to, and receives cleaning fluid with residual material from, the first cleaning station. A second tank supplies cleaning fluid to, and receives cleaning fluid with residual material from, the second cleaning station. The second tank also supplies cleaning fluid to the first tank.

Abstract: Hard imaging device vapor removal systems, hard imaging devices, and hard imaging methods are described. According to one embodiment, a hard imaging device vapor removal system includes a supply path configured to supply air to an imaging region of a hard imaging device configured to use a liquid ink marking agent to form a plurality of hard images using media, wherein the air of the supply path is supplied to remove a carrier vapor of the liquid ink marking agent resulting from imaging operations of the hard imaging device, an exhaust path configured to remove at least some of the carrier vapor externally of the imaging region using the supplied air, and a bypass path configured to supply supplemental air to the supplied air exhausting the carrier vapor of the liquid ink marking agent.

Abstract: Imaging systems and methods are described. In one aspect, an ink layer having an electrorheological fluid composition including a suspension of colorant particles dispersed in an electrically insulating carrier fluid is formed on a surface of an electrically insulating layer supported by an electrically conducting substrate. A charge image is projected onto the ink layer to selectively form charge-stiffened regions adhering to the electrically insulating layer and representing respective regions of the projected charge image. Non-charge-stiffened ink layer components are physically separated from the charge-stiffened regions.